Music News: Inside the livestream boom May 14, 2020 Livestreams are the new normal...at least for the moment, but it's a very big moment for online music performances. Today, we look at just how popular livestreams have become, how the most ambitious artists pull them off, and what to expect in the future.
Music News: A 70th birthday celebration of Stevie Wonder May 13, 2020 Stevie Wonder was there for Motown's early days, who had towering artistic successes with sprawling '70s albums, was a consistent hitmaker in the '80s, and remains active as an artist to this day.
Music News: Dave Grohl on why concerts will return: 'We need each other' May 12, 2020 It's going to take a lot for live music to come back amidst a pandemic, but in a passionate essay Dave Grohl says that eventually, it must. Also today: Doja Cat tops the Hot 100 and brings Nicki Minaj along for her first chart-topper; how older musicians are coping; and Billy Joel calls on New York to rise up together.
Music News: Soul star Betty Wright dies at 66 May 11, 2020 Soul star Betty Wright has died at 66, and Uptown Records founder Andre Harrell has passed at 59. Also, a rare tribute from Bob Dylan and an innovative recording studio on wheels. Plus, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu pit their catalogs against each other.
Music News: Bob Dylan announces new album 'Rough and Rowdy Ways' May 8, 2020 Bob Dylan has announced his first new album of original songs in eight years. Also today: deepfake music is getting dangerously on point, Soundgarden tussle with Vicky Cornell, Live Nation says fans are holding on to their tickets, and Weezer play the 'Simpsons' theme.
Music News: 'My Boy Lollipop' singer Millie Small dies at 73 May 7, 2020 Millie Small, the Jamaican singer who had an early ska hit with 'My Boy Lollipop,' has died after suffering a stroke. Also today: the Pitchfork Music Festival calls off this year's event; Guns N' Roses are publishing a children's book; Peloton pays millions for copyright infringement; and a load of vintage MTV goes up online.
Music News: Beat the final boss for an encore? Get ready for more concerts in video games May 6, 2020 After the wild success of Travis Scott's Fortnite concert, get ready for more stars to play virtual shows in multi-player video games. Meanwhile, Arkansas is preparing to host a socially-distanced concert IRL, while fans staying in quarantine will be able to watch documentaries about Wilco and the Beastie Boys. Plus, Mick Jagger shows off his shelter-in-place recreation for charity.
Music News: Stranglers keyboardist Dave Greenfield dies of COVID-19 May 5, 2020 Dave Greenfield, keyboardist in the Stranglers, has died of coronavirus at age 71. Also, catalog albums by artists like Fleetwood Mac and Mariah Carey are bumping back up the chart; a new baby for Grimes; a Prince guitar and other rock memorabilia go up for auction; and a little kid in pajamas may have written the song of the summer.
Music News: Missouri allows concerts to resume, but venues remain closed May 4, 2020 There's tension in Missouri as the governor says concerts may resume, while venues opt to remain closed. Also, disco drummer Hamilton Bohannon has died at 78; Great Scott has closed in Boston; Florence Welch is playing a virtual Met Gala party as big names book a telethon to support NYC; and Germany's trying drive-in raves.
Music News: Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen dies at 79 May 1, 2020 Tony Allen, a drummer who helped define the sound of Afrobeat, has died of an aneurysm at age 79. Also: the MusiCares COVID-19 relief fund has dried up, Sirius XM debuts a Prince channel, and 'Weird Al' Yankovic plays Ted Nugent on 'Reno 911.'